Ant Wilson, head of sustainable development at Faber Maunsell, tells HVR editor Paul Braithwaite why he loves his job so much
ANT Wilson is a modest man. He seems genuinely surprised that I called him one of the best-known personalities in the building services industry.
He has also become the acceptable face of government, working tirelessly to bring the new legislative rules and regulations to consultants, contractors and, yes, even journalists, in a way which helps us to understand them, pitching his conversations and lectures at a level which does not make us feel inferior.
He is also probably the best ambassador Faber Maunsell could have, liaising at all levels with government, organisations, campaign groups, et al.
Faber Maunsell is very much at the centre of the government's thinking on much of the energy efficiency legislation, being involved at the planning stages on parts L and F of the Building Regulations, and housing planning issues.
Wilson admits he is often on the sidelines when it comes to policy- making leaving this to colleague Steve Irving, but he is the one who is out there training the trainers.
'It is a case of getting the appropriate people around the table. Everyone there has a point to make - such as Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Fund, which have strong environmental views, alongside industry bodies such as FETA, BRE and government.'
Then the fun starts.
'What we have to end up with is a consensus which is also acceptable to the stakeholders.'
And he laughs when he says that often the consensus pleases no one and offends everyone. But, for all that, it puts him and Faber Maunsell at the centre.
He loves his job, as business unit director, Sustainable Development Group. Every single facet of it.
Faber Maunsell is an international consultancy specialising in buildings, transport and environmental services. It has an annual turnover of more than £186M and employs more than 3,000 people through a network of more than 30 offices across the UK and Europe.
The engineering consultancy is part of AECOM, which, Wilson boasts, is one of the largest in the world and, more to the point, has been (and still is) responsible for some of the most complex and demanding projects being undertaken.
For instance, staff at the Hatton Garden, London office are already working on the design and infrastructure of the 2012 Olympics site.
I told him the M&E contractors I had spoken too did not seem too keen on working on the big projects for the Olympics, as many had had their fingers burned on these prestigious jobs before and didn't want to be involved in another Wembley stadium.
Wilson admits there are pitfalls. 'It is sometimes difficult to make money when you're working with certain signature architects. M&E contractors would be stretched because the work is challenging or new and will be expensive. But think of the publicity of being the M&E contractor which brought in one of the prestigious Olympic projects on time and on budget'.
Wilson adds: 'Everyone wishes every job was profitable but some are not and when they are not, then it is up to the consultant or contractor to make the best of it and service the client to the best of their ability. Then there is always the chance of the next job.'
As for his Sustainable Development Group, Wilson admits he is not an eco-warrior but 'any project we work on, we should be able to do it better than anyone else'. And, he adds, they should be able to make the project as sustainable as possible because the group always has this in mind.
And the group is well advanced in sustainability, even to the point where some staff members are on secondment to AECOM offices in the US.
'Certainly, as far as the US as a whole is concerned, the UK is ahead in sustainability.'
He adds that one or two states are about even with the UK, and a couple might even be ahead. But for how long he would not say, and certainly not for ever.
For instance, California is years ahead when it comes to the control of air pollution but, if it had ignored it, many would be dead.
For other states, it is a case of whether there is oil or not. The oil states are less inclined to worry about energy.
He adds: 'ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, has been looking to CIBSE in the UK for a lot of the leadership on sustainability issues, but this is changing.'
And it is in the area of research and development where America can shine.
'We do well in the UK with very little. The Americans can throw money at research - and do.'
As might be expected of a company which last year figured in the top 50 in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For and the Top 50 Financial Times Best Workplaces, as well as 90th in The Times Top Graduate Employers, training is important.
There are a number of staff levels. 'Obviously, the least experienced receive more training. Each person has an appraisal, and training is allocated as appropriate.'
Each training course can be booked online and again Wilson is one of the trainers. He is responsible for training in sustainability. And, with 30 offices across the country, even this work involves much travel.
When the trainee has attended each course, this is attached to his or her record. 'It is a very formal training process but none the worse for that.' And the courses can be internal or external such as negotiating skills or meeting facilitation, professional accountancy skills or IT training and many more.
And hand in hand with training goes recruitment. Last year, Faber Maunsell began its STEP school leavers recruitment initiative where it recruited 56 candidates across all divisions in 13 locations.
This year it recruited 27 technicians (National Certificate or HNC level), 20 gap year students (work experience before university), and has nine direct university sponsorships.
This, says Wilson, is a 'go-as-far-as-you-like' initiative.
For instance, the technicians can go on to train as building services engineers or not.
'These STEP recruits can simply stay as technicians or train for other jobs. And if they choose to train up, then they can do so at their own pace,' says Wilson.
And while only 56 candidates were recruited in 2007, the company wants to expand this to 150 in 2008. And this is in addition to the graduate recruitment programme where more than 200 graduates have been recruited. The company also works with schools in the local areas. Wilson and a number of his colleagues have been trained as science and engineering ambassadors. They have full Criminal Record Bureau clearance to work with children.
In recent years Wilson has done six KNEX Challenges with local schools where he takes over the assembly halls. The youngsters work in pairs and use special kits to build items such as a lunar buggies or playground equipment. 'It is about engaging with primary school children.'
Plus Faber Maunsell also has links with many secondary schools. Wilson says that, in the St Albans' area where he works, in Hertfordshire, there are ties with all the secondary schools in the area - even to the point where staff undertake mentoring roles with youngsters who are struggling academically or with potentially delinquent kids.
There are careers fairs where staff try to attract youngsters to the building services industry.
And, as well as staff time, the company's corporate social responsibility policy means that 1.7% of its pre-tax profit is given to charities such as the NSPCC, Children 1st and ISPCC and CRASH, the Construction and Property Industry Charity for the Homeless.
The company has also won a gold award for payroll charity giving.
There is even a facilities co-ordinator, who deals with the schools and charities, who works for the company full time. And, in each location, there is one person at least who is the link between Faber and the school.
As far as Wilson is concerned, if the staff are happy, they have a better incentive to stay with the company, which in turn means the training and experience stay with Faber Maunsell.